Filipinos traveling abroad these holidays were warned by the Department of Foreign Affairs (DFA) to be cautious and vigilant at all times.
Though the DFA did not mention a specific country, they were keen to note that “no place is completely safe from people who try to take advantage of others.”
“Tourists have a tendency to lower their guard while sightseeing,” it said. “Filipino travelers should, therefore, be aware of petty crime incidents that normally spike during peak tourist seasons.”
DFA reminded Filipinos to be:
- Mindful and respectful of the laws and regulations of the country that you will be visiting.
- Be alert when visiting crowded areas like a bus, metro stations, airports, shopping malls, public transportation, concert venues, and
- Wary of people who may distract and steal money from you.
- Careful of your personal belongings. Always be mindful of your items especially those important valuables like camera, wallets, mobile phones, and Keep them close as much as possible to avoid people from taking advantage of these valuables.
- As for your important belongings such as credit cards, important documents, cash, distribute them into different compartments inside your bag.
- Always keep on hand copies of important documents such as passports, credit cards, and
For stolen passports outside the Philippines, holders are requested to proceed to the Philippine Embassy or the Consulate and ask for assistance, says GMA News.
